South Africa engages ArcelorMittal to sustain steel plant operations

The South African government has engaged with ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) to prevent the planned wind-down of the longs steel plant in Newcastle. Financial assistance of R380 million was provided by the dtic and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in February 2025, along with a R1 billion working capital facility extended in June 2024. Additionally, funding of nearly R417 million has been approved through the Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme to support 2,982 employees for 12 months, conditional on AMSA’s participation in the Productivity SA turnaround programme. The technical working group, including key stakeholders, is addressing policy challenges affecting the steel industry.